How long do I have to turn in a claim?

by lsfnpa » Tue Jan 20, 2009 09:44 pm
Posts: 1
Joined: 20 Jan 2009

I was involved in an accident with another vehicle but we both agreed not to turn in to insurance. The other car was going to pay my damages out of pocket. They have not paid yet and it is a month later. We both skidded on ice, but my damage was to the rear of my car and I was in front. So the other car should be at fault, correct? Can I turn in to insurance now? I don't have the other drivers insurance information, just name/phone and address.

Total Comments: 9

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:51 pm Post Subject:

Usually when hit from behind the other vehicle is at fault since they are to have their vehicle under control at all times. I am not sure how long you have to turn in a claim but if the pther party has not paid you damages you may want to get this done as soon as possible. Did you get any insurance information or names from the other person invovled? Hopefully so since you will need it.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 02:15 am Post Subject:

Hi Isfnpa,
You left me a message in my box...It seems you have alot of the information you will need. The address, phone number and drivers license number should help you get the other information you will need. I would call your insurance company with this information and explain what happened. Next time their is an accident I would at least call the police so that you will have a police report. People these days are not always as trustworthy as we think. Hope you get it straightened out.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 03:02 am Post Subject:

When in an accident it's _required_ by law to exchange insurance information. So, everyone... you _always_ need to get this information regardless of what is going to happen.

OP, if the other person wanted to a avoid you filing a claim by paying for your loss out of his/her pocket, they should have avoid any delay in getting that payment to you! I'm guessing at this point that they are probably not going to pay you. As you don't have their insurance information, you are going to need to contact them and obtain it. I can almost guarantee you that they are not going to want to give it to you and probably won't. 9 times out of 10, people who want to handle the damage themselves don't have insurance and by stating that they are going to pay for the loss themselves, they seek to avoid you reporting the loss to the police and being fined for not having insurance.

My recommendation is to call this person and give them 24 hours to give you their insurance information. If they won't, you need to file a police report and make a note that the other person has no insurance. You don't care of they do... as if they have not given you proof, it's as good as not having any.

If you have collision coverage you may want to consider filing a claim under your own policy and having your carrier seek recovery.

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 04:02 pm Post Subject: working it out...

I once worked it out with someone, I was at fault and I paid out 800 to the other driver and we both went on our own way. If you are not negligent and you both want to do things this way, "not working with the insurance company", you better receive that payment that day or something like this may happen. Sounds like a headache. By the way, this isn't legal advice. If you haven't already you may want to read the post just previous to this one.

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:36 pm Post Subject:

We both skidded on ice, but my damage was to the rear of my car and I was in front. So the other car should be at fault, correct?

Most likely...

Can I turn in to insurance now?

Sure, your policy says you will 'promptly' report all accidents, but i've never seen one denied for late report (not on first party damage)

I don't have the other drivers insurance information, just name/phone and address.

That will be enough for your adjuster to get started (after they pay you for their subrogation claim)

I'm with Tcope, I'd call them and give them 24-48 hours to either produce the amount they owe you for your damages, or their insurance information (or fess up to not having any :roll: ) or you will contact the police and your carrier...

Do let us know what happens and if we can be of further assistance.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:51 am Post Subject:

Is there a time period when it actually is too late to file a claim? I would think there would be one set up in insurance guidelines.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 01:34 am Post Subject:

Is there a time period when it actually is too late to file a claim?

Well, you would think so wouldn't you? I've personally never seen an auto/homeowners policy that had a limit...other than to say you will 'promptly' report any and all claims....

Anyone else ever see an actual number of days?

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 02:12 am Post Subject:

Yes I would think so. I wouls think that any claim over a few months would be too long and never over a year. I would like to see an answer to this one.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 06:56 am Post Subject:

Its suggested that you turn the claim in at your earliest but its never too late to claim. One may even file a claim after a month. However, during this time you can't actually make any repair work, so that the adjuster faces no problem in determining the damages.

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